Munster Co Op Superstore League Final: Rebels sucker punch Tipperary at the death to claim the spoils
The game was played at Pairc Ui Rinn this afternoon
Cork 3-14
Tipperary 1-19
Four minutes from ther end of normal time Tipperary were six points to the good in this Co-Op Superstore Munster League Final at Pairc Ui Rinn, and somehow managed to lose the game to hosts Cork.
The Revel supporters were streaming out of the grounds when a Jack O'Connor goal in the 34th minute gave them a shot in the arm. And, they would hit three in a row to go in front before Jason Forde tied up the game with his fourteenth point, only to see Patrick Horgan claim the silverware with a 37th minute free.
It was a damp afternoon in Cork with the pitch looking heavy and soft - underfoot conditions would be testing for the players and the slippy ball would not make for easy handling.
Tipperary held a 1-9 to 1-6 interval lead and it was an advantage which didn't seem all that likely by the end of the first quarter.
Cork started with loads of swagger and a Patrick Horgan goal after five mintues gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about. They were 1-3 to 0-1 in front after seven mintues with Brian McGrath's point for Tipperary - the opening score of the game - followed by a series of wides, before Jason Forde had Tipp's second in the 11th minute.
Tipp battled their way into the game with Conor Stakelum doing a lot of work at midfield - the scores rolled as a result - Forde getting two more and Brian McGrath, who was hurling very well, adding his second.
Cork though had Brian Roche, Patrick Horgan and Robbie O'Flynn points to add to two massive long range efforts from goalkeeper Patrick Collins.
The game changed with Sean Ryan's 25th minute goal for Tipp - a fine finish after Brian McGrath caught a high ball delivered to Ryan interchanged passes with Stakelum before sending to the Cork net - a very well worked goal.
Conor Bowe and Jason Forde added pionts before the end to give Tipp that six point lead at the break - Cork had failed to score for the last quarter of the half.
Tipperary never looked in danger of losing this game as they claimed an eight point advantage in the second half with scores from Stakelum, Forde (5) and Cian O'Dwyer. But, a goal from Brian Hayes in the 21st minute after an overlap was created outfield cut the deficit, but still did not seem in any way dangerous to the Tipperary cause.
It all exploded in those last gasp minutes though as Cork bagged 1-6 to Tipperary's solitary point to claim a victory which seemed unlikely for sixty minutes of this game.